dme court

A charge of felony aggravated assault against a Pittsburgh police detective who lives in Adams Township was withdrawn Wednesday, July 22, after a witness refused to testify, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.

Richard L. Dilimone Jr., 36, was charged March 11 with felony aggravated assault following an alleged bar fight at Pleasant Bar in Pleasant Hills. Police said Dilimone struck a patron in the forehead with a beer bottle.

“The victim in the case did refuse to cooperate and as a result we were unable to proceed,” said Chief of Staff Rebecca D. Spangler.

Police said the victim sustained a large laceration to the forehead and was taken by Baldwin EMS to a hospital.

“Quite frankly, that evening, he was merely acting in the capacity that he’s been trained to do — defending others,” said defense attorney Nicole Nino, of Phil DiLucente & Associates, after a March 25 hearing.

An assistant district attorney at the March 25 hearing told the judge witness testimony in the case is needed because the security video by itself does not contain enough evidence to affirm the charge.

“In Pennsylvania, defense of others and self-defense, those are still affirmative defenses,” Nino said.

Attempts to reach Nino after the charges were withdrawn were unsuccessful.